Estill County board approves schematic design for new middle school, revises project budget

IRVINE, Ky. — The Estill County Board of Education on Feb. 18 approved a schematic design for a new Estill County Middle School and authorized staff to submit a revised BG-1 project budget to the Kentucky Department of Education to reflect additional site work.

Board members approved the schematic design after a presentation from Deco (architect) and discussion of site and structural challenges. The board also consented to a revised BG-1 total read aloud during the meeting; staff said the revision reflects additional work to address difficult soil conditions on the chosen site.

Deco representatives said the current drawings are at roughly 15% design and that approval now would lock in the overall concept and layout — not final finishes, colors or furniture. The proposed site sits on a ridge behind the existing high school and vocational building; the plan places separate wings for sixth, seventh and eighth grades radiating from a central double-height hub that would house the library, Paxton Patterson (STEM) units and band space. The gym would feature fixed seating on one side and retractable seating on the…